Do not buy your loved one a digital photo frame or a digital radio if you want Christmas Day to go off smoothly.
Such is the advice offered today by, of all people, the British Video Association (BVA), after polling some 2000-odd customer.
Fifty-eight per cent of those asked hoped Santa will bring them electronic goods this …

Better yet...

Why not postpone Christmas until the end of January (after all celebrating New Years is enough), get all the presents in the January sales (you know, the ones that start on boxing day) at knock-down prices and spend the time reading books or going for walks with your family.

Why must we always be buying stuff?

I'm also for everyone spending the money (that you might normally spend on presents for other people) on themselves instead - then on Christmas day you thank all your family for your present that you really wanted, and they can thank you for theirs.

The downside of postponing Christmas 2010

Screw (Scrooge?) Xmas

I have given up on Xmas entirely - it is now a completely Business-driven operation, designed to extract as much lucre from your purse/wallet that "they" can possibly get away with.

Join the revolution! STOP GIVING XMAS PRESENTS ENTIRELY! If you really want to show your appreciation of a person, give them something special on their birthday - or on any day that you feel like, just because!

Slightly off topic but

Years ago, when I was a student and then recently graduated and really poor the missus and I used to arrange Christmas family visits so that we were with her family for Christmas and mine for New Year.

After the first year of doing this I realised that I could buy exactly the same presents for my family in the sales for much less money. Saved us quite a bit I can tell you with the only down side being that sales shopping is not an enjoyable experience.

Photo frames

Not always useless

I agree that digital photo frames don't suit everyone. I'd probably forget to plug it in myself. My parents, however, got one (a cheapo one) about 3 years ago and had it on constantly til it finally gave up the ghost. They've now replaced it with a new one.

Ok, they're both disabled and spend more time at home than average but, as I say, they suit some people.

If you can be bothered scanning your old photos they are a good way to revisit them without digging albums out of the cupboard. Not so good when that photo of you aged 4 brushing your teeth in your Y-fronts pops up tho...